Actor Zawe Ashton, who is known for her roles in the comedy series Fresh Meat and period drama Mr. Malcolm’s List, alongside film roles in The Marvels and Velvet Buzzsaw, recently opened up about suffering incidents of “bullying, demeaning and gaslighting” throughout her career.
“There was just this weird resistance and bullying. Bullying, demeaning, gaslighting. I was yelled at by one producer because I was questioning something about my own work,” she said speaking to Tatler magazine.
She also talked about the project, which was eventually put on hold. “We did not do that kind of thing here until the success of things like I May Destroy You or Fleabag,” she added.
Ashton, 38, surprised fans in June when she revealed she was expecting her first child with fiancé Tom Hiddleston. She also revealed that she was put under pressure to plan her pregnancy, admitting she received 'mixed messaging' over the best time to start her family.
“You are told, ‘Don’t get pregnant’ but also ‘Don’t leave it too long’ because then you’re going to be an old maid. I’ve been prehistoric in this industry since I was 25. The mixed messaging is rough and has to be addressed,” she shared.
However, she admitted she did not let it influence her decision. “It was just suddenly this self-permission comes over you that goes against all that messaging,” she added.
Ashton’s pregnancy was confirmed when she debuted her baby bump at the premiere of her new film Mr. Malcolm's List in June. She said she did not feel like she had to do anything but it felt like the pregnancy news happened in the right way.
“I am not into ‘announcements’ or ‘reveals’. I am into trying to carry the narrative as much as possible myself, rather than anyone else feeling like they have an exclusive on my body,” she said.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.